92 Points - JamesSuckling.com
92 Points - The Wine Independent
Delicious for any occasion, or perfect for aging in your cellar. Enjoy with herb-crusted pork ribs, grilled chicken Caesar salad, poached salmon and more.
Vineyard: This Chardonnay thrives American Canyon and Carneros vineyards in the southern tip of Napa Valley, near San Pablo Bay, which spills into the San Francisco Bay. The cool maritime breezes and morning fog allow the grapes to slowly ripen to develop complex flavors while maintaining a pleasing natural acidity that is impossible to achieve in warmer areas. Farmed all naturally, without artificial pesticides or herbicides, and they are certified organic.
Vintage: The growing season was free from severe weather issues, and, despite the drought, our yield increased five percent. There was no significant rainfall in the month of February, but mild spring and summer conditions provided an ideal environment for grapes to flower, bloom, and set in early spring. Notably cooler temperatures in August and September allowed to pick each block at its ideal point of ripeness, leading to outstanding quality and great concentration in the fruit. The grape harvest drew to a close at the end of October, with the last grapes arriving just before an atmospheric river brought much-needed rain to Northern California
Alcohol: 13.5%
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Appellation: Napa Valley Estate
Harvest date: Aug. 27 - Sept. 22, 2021
Sugar: 22.1 Brix (average)
Fermentation: indigenous yeast
Total acid: 6.4 g/L
pH: 3.34
Aging: Fermented and aged 10 months
Type of oak: French oak; 40% new, 60% neutral
Bottling date: June 2021
92 Points
Aromas of blackberry, dried fig, black cherry, blackberry coulis, toasted vanilla, and a hint of cigar box. The palate offers rich and velvety tannins, dark chocolate-covered cherries, black plum, mixed berry pie and toasted walnut. Long and expressive with loads of flavor.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This opulent wine opens with aromas of blackberry, black plum, violets and spice on the nose. Flavors on the palate of dark cherry, sarsaparilla and orange zest wrap around dried tobacco leaf, malt chocolate and toasted vanilla, with a long, supple finish.
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